Nuts
Shelled
Shelled kola nut is kernel stock of the caffeine-rich seed of Cola species native to West African rainforests already removed from the hard shell for immediate cooking. Convenience is high; shelf life is shorter than sound in-shell lots if storage is warm. Taste target: bitter-astringent then sweetish, used as a chew and flavour extract more than a baking nut. Ready for cooking such as West African hospitality chews and historical soft-drink flavouring extracts. Industrial shelling already applied the species pathway: split and chew fresh or dried; extracts for beverages are industrial specialities. Storage discipline: fresh kolas are perishable; dried keep cooler and drier. Caffeine content is real; treat as a stimulant food, not an anonymous baking chip. Allergen: stimulant seed—not a mild children’s snack nut. In comparison, culturally closer to stimulant plants than to pecan pie nuts. Check packs for shell shards before serving children. Vacuum packs help but still deserve cool storage after opening.
Track this ingredient
Characteristics
Preparations
Traits
Nutrition and pairings
Nutrition
Typical values per 100 g edible portion. Nutrient names open the reference page.
Nutrition Facts
Per 100 g edible portion
Amount per 100 g
- Total Fat 1.27 g
- Saturated Fat 0.27 g
- Trans Fat 0 g
- Monounsaturated Fat 0.53 g
- Polyunsaturated Fat 0.47 g
- Cholesterol 0 mg
- Sodium 5.23 mg
- Salt 0.01 g
- Total Carbohydrate 72.3 g
- Dietary Fibre 7.75 g
- Total Sugars 4.09 g
- Complex / starch 5.14 g
- Protein 6.8 g
- Water 10 g
- Energy 328 kcal
- Water 10 g
- Carbohydrates 72.3 g
- Protein 6.8 g
- Fat 1.27 g
- Saturated Fat 0.27 g
- Monounsaturated Fat 0.53 g
- Polyunsaturated Fat 0.47 g
- Omega-3 0.04 g
- Vitamins 88.3 mg
- Vitamin A 15 µg
- Vitamin B1 — Thiamine 0.22 mg
- Vitamin B2 — Riboflavin 0.16 mg
- Vitamin B3 — Niacin 2.17 mg
- Vitamin B5 — Pantothenic Acid 0.54 mg
- Vitamin B6 0.16 mg
- Vitamin B7 — Biotin 15.9 µg
- Vitamin B9 — Folate 41.9 µg
- Vitamin C 2 mg
- Vitamin E 5.14 mg
- Vitamin K 5.1 µg
- Minerals 339 mg
- Major Minerals 337 mg
- Trace Minerals 1.5 mg
- Iron 1.5 mg
- Salt 0.01 g
Vitamins
vitamin-c: 2 · vitamin-a: 15 · vitamin-b1-thiamine: 0.22 · vitamin-b2-riboflavin: 0.16 · vitamin-b3-niacin: 2.17 · vitamin-b5-pantothenic-acid: 0.54 · vitamin-b6: 0.16 · vitamin-b7-biotin: 15.9 · vitamin-b9-folate: 41.9 · vitamin-e: 5.14 · vitamin-k: 5.1 ·
Minerals
Shell is largely mineral; edible value is minimal except as calcium source when finely prepared.
History
West African societies used kola in trade, ritual, and social greeting long before colonial soft drinks.
Kola trade networks linked forest producers with Sahelian and coastal markets.
Early cola beverages drew on kola flavour and caffeine associations in their origin stories.
Fresh kola remains culturally central in West Africa while global soft drinks use other caffeine sources.